What are you powering?

[SWbySWesty]

I get it...sorta...besides the occasional laptop charge/movie, camera batteries and a fridge, what are you guys powering with all these fancy systems? Lights? Blenders? Microwaves? LOL

just curious since I only run the fridge and that's about all I need to run...I guess a camp light instead of a lantern or something?

 

[TimS]

Fridge only. We really don't need anything else.

 

[Momrocks]

Re-charging camera, LED camp light, flashlight, handytalkie and phone batteries. And.....my system isn't very fancy, it's a single gel cel battery, a couple of fused 12V power points and a 750 watt modified sine wave inverter.

`

 

[tdesanto]

Fridge and recharging batteries for headlamps and cameras.

 

[Herbie]

Well my system is still in the spec. phase, but I can tell you that in addition to the fridge, my power pack will have to power the blower for the furnace, and some LED interior lighting.

Eventually, I'd like to rewire a couple portions of our van's main electrical to run off the house power instead. In particular, I'd like to be able to run the car stereo and Ham/CB gear from the house battery, at least in a "manual override" way.

 

[Corey]

Just an old school ARB fridge and the light in the Maggiolina roof top tent.
Solar setup keeps the batteries topped off.

I bring enough Sony batteries for my digital camera, but the new GoPro Hero HD camera I bought last fall will need to be charged up while camping, so I will need to wire in a USB charger, or get a 12v one with the correct USB plug on it for the camera.

 

[wrcsixeight]

In addition to the loads other's posted, minus the furnace, I power my TV, my ventilation fans, and use my 800 watt MSW inverter to power some 6 amp or less power tools, such as my belt sander, angle grinder, power planer, for when I'm out in the boonies and feel the need to make some noise, dust, sparks, and wood shavings.

And being a music junky, having a loud stereo and enough battery power and solar to recharge it is a recipe for metal health.

 

[cruiserlarry]

ARB freezer/fridge, Toughbook laptop, front/rear cameras, multiple ham radios, GPS(s), front/rear/side/underbody lights, camera /portable radio chargers, camping lights, winch reserve power, etc...

You can never have too much reserve power, IMO...Murphy's Law is always in force, and even more so the further you are from civilization...

 

[SWbySWesty]

Bump to this - I'm curious if anybody went from lanterns to actual lights around camp using their power systems.

 

[wrcsixeight]

I have always despised Lantern light. It is so harsh, and ruins night vision.

I bought 2 replacement LED brake lights from Harbor freight when on special, and put long wires and Ciggy plugs on them.

Their only downside is cooking meat under them. It is hard to tell when they are done.

 

[Momrocks]

Bump to this - I'm curious if anybody went from lanterns to actual lights around camp using their power systems.

I am researching 12VDC LED camp lights but have not found any in a warm enough spectrum. I don't use mantle style lanterns, I'm currentling using battery lamps and a rechargable LED light. I love the minimal amp draw but dislike the super white emit from most LEDs. They can throw all kinds of light but my eyes have a hard time adjusting or distinguishing detail when compared to incandesent glow. If I ever find a warm LED flood, I will be a happy man.

 

[SWbySWesty]

I'm wondering if the ARB light would make a good replacement of a lantern...it lacks portability like a lantern, but I could plug it right in to my power pack since I pull it out of the car with the fridge to put next to the camp kitchen.

Does anyone have real world experience with these?

From ARB site:

 

[Tucson T4R]

I have switched over to all LED and love it. I agree the warmer light tones from incandescent is nicer but the low power draw and lack of bug attraction seals the deal for me.

From my experience a lantern will bring in the bugs by the hundreds. Florescent is better but still attracts large marauding hordes of bugs. When I only use LED light in my camp I only get a few bugs. Works for me. :elkgrin:

 

[adventureduo]

We power our fridge, 50 watt Yaesu ham radio (when we basecamp comm), 1500 watt inverter (charging various items, PSP, camera, etc), water pump, lighting, and whatever else we may need. We have an 80 watt 6.2 amp solar panel that will keep the dual AGM's topped off. As long as we have food/water we can stay out indefinitely. We also have dual batteries in the LC , so a total of 4 if poop hits the fan. <<< thats all just the trailer.

The LC, has GPS, 2 meter, cb, winch, small inverter, occasional day use fridge and running dual batteries itself.

We hardly ever bring our lantern anymore. We have LED's in our Horizon. They're great because they don't attract bugs as much and don't draw as much power. I will also use our ARB adventure light for our kitchen area and shut if off when done with the kitchen for the night. On the back of the trailer we have a HELLA matador that we can use for trail repairs for someone behind us... or checking out brush when grabbing a cold one out of the Fridge On the LC we have a kaymar telescoping work lamp for working on rigs at night, setting up camp at night.. or what have you. The LC is also running LED lighting throughout and can be left on for days.

My lantern is 30+ years old and runs on white fuel.. i like to use it now and then, just because my dad raise me to camp and thats his old lantern.

 

[mesha]

I just used my ARB 12v light tonight to work on my Jeep. It was great. It did a nice job of letting me see what I needed to. I don't think it lights up anything like the ARB website shows. It was nice though.